What do you think is the best way to join enemies? Back in the 1700s, Indians and white men were practically enemies – white men took away Indian land and Indians killed white men. However, one Indian found a way to bring these enemies together, and this is how he did it. Beforehand, a white boy named Matt was left alone in Maine for a few months. One day, he tried to gather some honey. He was not careful and a swarm of bees stung him. Luckily, two Indians, Saknis and Attean, were watching. They helped him out and cared for him until his wounds healed. Matt wanted to repay them, but all he could give was his favorite book. However, Saknis saw the book and told Matt to teach Attean to read. Everyone can agree that Saknis and Attean …show more content…
Matt learned necessary survival skills through Attean. All Indians knew these skills, but because Matt was not an Indian, Attean had to teach him. Thus, Attean learned to be a teacher and a leader. These would greatly aid him, as he was the grandson of the chief of his tribe and so would become the next one. In addition, both Matt and Attean learned about another culture – Attean the white man’s culture and Matt the Indian’s culture. Most Indians knew little about white men and their culture, just as most white men knew little about Indians and their …show more content…
Indians and white men were enemies, but Matt and Attean could show them that they did not have to be. Neither culture wanted any trouble, and Matt and Attean proved this as each did not hurt the other or the other’s family in any way. Matt and Attean showed that Indians and white men were not as different as many had believed. Also, Matt and Attean told everyone that all people matter; Matt respected the Indians and Attean respected white men.
The third reason Saknis should have brought Matt and Attean together is that he knew their friendship would benefit them both. Matt would have been all alone for months had he not found a companion and a friend in Attean. Likewise, Attean would have continued despising all white men for invalid reasons had he not found a friend in Matt. Matt and Attean had stories to tell their families about the other culture because of their friendship. They broke the barrier between Indians and white men so that the hostility between them would not last